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"Political" Season

It’s that time of year again. The political season is upon us. The ads and hype begin to fill every space, timeline, blog post and feed. All seem to tout themselves as the party of choice and that their Agenda is the only one that makes sense for your personal and professional prosperity. The mudslinging threats and the overwhelming message begins to take shape “If you’re not with us then you’re against us.” It is obvious that pressures begin to mount to take sides early. More importantly in the economic reality that has begun to take shape in 2011, that of gradual recovery in our Industry yet with the threat of doom seeming to loom (for many of us are just beginning to recover from the last four years), the available funds are limited and we as Dealers are hard pressed to determine exactly where our expenditures would be best served.

Many will be forced to declare early where they are running and because of their party affiliation, may be ostracized from certain venues and perhaps even ridiculed and demeaned for their choices. This is a sad state of affairs for, in my humble opinion, ideas abound that could better our Industry, our lives and our Professional standing. Instead, I begin to feel as nothing more than a tick mark on someone’s giant score card, a means to declaring a hollow and self-serving “victory”.

I wish, instead of making me vote with my dollars and physical presence in one way or another, that there could be unity of purpose in truly serving the constituency and that open dialogue “across the aisle” could occur. I believe that there is good in all and that the primary purpose behind it all is to better our Industry. But alas, in the grand scheme of things, whether it is ego driven or the monetary motivation behind it all, we all must choose where we will be in October.

I understand completely where you are coming from Bryan. With the "Automotive Political Season" looming on the horizon, I woulD like for everyone to consider these two questions:
Which convention looks more competent?
Which convention has the deepeSt and most resonant agenda?
For some it may be hard to decide on how they will vote in October because our industry is abuzz with information overload on what lies ahead and honestly it isn't possible to rationally analyze all incoming data.
So, as the clock winds down, I agree Bryan it is time to decidE where we as an industry should be in October. I ask those who haven't registered YET, try to override your predictably irrational propensity to succumb to the "chatter of influences" and engage your rational brain to select the one that brings you to the most diStinguished retail automotive event for Dealership Executives in 2012. It has a jam packed agenda surrounded by European elegance graced by extraordinary dancing fountains.
Is there any other way?